Nano Reef Tank

[kuzyaburst]

Hi, I currently have a couple freshwater tanks and wanted to get into Marine Reefs. I've done some research and really like these 2 tanks 1)Biocube 14g, 2) NUVO 20g has anyone had any of these 2 tanks? If so can you sure share your experience with it and if you have had both are know a lot about them which one is better? I really like the look of the NUVO 20 and it comes with the starter kit and stuff, but it's just so pricey! And the BioCube I heard a lot of people say it crashed on them either with lighting or the glass cracked. 

Are Marine related posts even allowed on here? Sorry if they're not I just wanted to know

 

[Dreamer03]

I have not used either but you can make post on marine fish probably on the saltwater fish stuff area. What do you plan to have in the tank?

 

[techen]

All I can say is, I would never recommend going marine with anything under 50G. Simply cause it normally ends up in some sort of algae mess or dead fish, Also stocking nano tanks with marine fish is INSANELY harder than our FW type.

 

[kuzyaburst]

All I can say is, I would never recommend going marine with anything under 50G. Simply cause it normally ends up in some sort of algae mess or dead fish, Also stocking nano tanks with marine fish is INSANELY harder than our FW type.

I'm just used to nano tanks really I have an uncle and all he does is nano reefs and it looks great, but he doesn't have niether of the 2 tanks  

I have not used either but you can make post on marine fish probably on the saltwater fish stuff area. What do you plan to have in the tank?

a clown couple, royal gramma basslet, six line wrasse,  hopefully someday a Mandarin Dragonet, I was also thinking a 4 striped damsel but I don't know since I've been reading a lot and people say it is very aggressive. Oh, and a couple invertebrates and coral. 

 

[Dreamer03]

If i am right most of those fish need at least a 30g. I would also recomend to go bigger but it is possible to mantain a nano. Oddly enougj it seems like more work.

 

[Chad]

I actually recommend the larger BioCube (29 gallons). Though a 55 is ideal for a starter reef that BioCube is a good alternative. I would skip the smaller one. It's a bit rough as an introduction to marine to start small. 
 
I owned a 29 gallon BioCube for years and I really loved it. I was able to run it as is and then eventually modify it for my needs. I liked the ability to do that. 
 
What I really recommend though is getting a nice 45-50 gallon standard tank and picking the components based on your needs. This is more flexible in the long run and leads to a more functional tank that lasts. This also allows you to keep a better variety of fish. Most marine fish (being from the ocean and all) require more room. 
 
Of the fish on your list you couldn't house any of them in either of the tanks you list. Clowns of certain species (A. Ocellaris particularly) will do great in a 29 gallon tank but some clowns (P. biaculeatus for example) really need larger.  
 
This is an older photo of the BioCube (I got rid of it when I got my 210 gallon). 
 

 
 

 

[Dreamer03]

Thats a very nice tank.

 

[Chad]

Thanks. It's important for me to point out, by the way, that there are only 3 fish in it. The two skunk clowns and the shrimp goby (his shrimp is there too). That's all I would recommend for a 29 gallon BioCube. For a smaller cube a yellow clown goby is a good choice.
 

 
http/youtu.be/W6fo_nUxflw

 

[kuzyaburst]

Thanks. It's important for me to point out, by the way, that there are only 3 fish in it. The two skunk clowns and the shrimp goby (his shrimp is there too). That's all I would recommend for a 29 gallon BioCube. For a smaller cube a yellow clown goby is a good choice.
 

210trt_27.jpg
 
http/youtu.be/W6fo_nUxflw

is that your video? If so I watched it on YouTube! And yeah i'm probably going to go for a 40g.

 

[kuzyaburst]

I actually recommend the larger BioCube (29 gallons). Though a 55 is ideal for a starter reef that BioCube is a good alternative. I would skip the smaller one. It's a bit rough as an introduction to marine to start small. 
 
I owned a 29 gallon BioCube for years and I really loved it. I was able to run it as is and then eventually modify it for my needs. I liked the ability to do that. 
 
What I really recommend though is getting a nice 45-50 gallon standard tank and picking the components based on your needs. This is more flexible in the long run and leads to a more functional tank that lasts. This also allows you to keep a better variety of fish. Most marine fish (being from the ocean and all) require more room. 
 
Of the fish on your list you couldn't house any of them in either of the tanks you list. Clowns of certain species (A. Ocellaris particularly) will do great in a 29 gallon tank but some clowns (P. biaculeatus for example) really need larger.  
 
This is an older photo of the BioCube (I got rid of it when I got my 210 gallon). 
 

biocube.jpg
 
 

Nice tank also what BioCube do you have? I've been seeing different brands like Coral Life and JBJ I don't even know if there's a difference in them. 

 

[Chad]

I had the 29 gallon BioCube. There's really only one BioCube. The rest are cube shaped tanks. BioCube is the brand name. It's the one made by Coralife. 
 
The differences are subtle but to me important. I've owned both the BioCube and the JBJ and found the BioCube to be more well made and solid. The glass (to me anyway) on the BioCube is outstanding being clear, thick, and very scratch resistant. There is actually a 1 gallon difference with the JBJ being 28 gallons and the BioCube being 29. 
 
But, I don't think you would go wrong with either one of them.